One Community, One Book meets
In partnership with the Sanibel Public Library and MacIntosh Books + Paper, the Sanibel Recreation Center hosted the first One Community, One Book gathering on Oct. 16 on Sanibel. The featured book was “Sanybel Light: An Historical Autobiography” by Charles LeBuff, who was in attendance. The local author and island legend shared stories from his book and his life. Now approaching 90, LeBuff captivated attendees with tales drawn from his decades of work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and his deep connection to Sanibel’s wild places. He recounted the island’s early conservation efforts, including his role in the city’s acquisition of the Sanibel Lighthouse property in 1970 for $700. LeBuff’s talk was filled with memories of life on Sanibel: encounters with alligators during red tide, nursing an injured manatee in his bathtub, and the early days of mosquito control and wildlife management. The gathering concluded with a question-and-answer session. Open to the public, the monthly book club is designed to bring neighbors together through literature with local ties. For more information, call the rec center at 239-472-0345.